COVID-19 Federal Responses: Thursday, March 3, 2022

Despite the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron seeming to be more contagious, some infectious disease experts believe that it is unlikely to cause any major shift to the trajectory of the pandemic.
A study found that the effectiveness of Pfizer’ and Moderna’s two-dose series vaccines diminishes against symptomatic disease in the six months following vaccination, but that a booster dose restores protection to the levels seen immediately after the primary series.
In his State of the Union address, President Biden announced an initiative to launch COVID-19 testing sites at pharmacies across the country that would allow people who test positive for COVID-19, to receive free antiviral pills at the same location.

White House and Federal Agencies

In his State of the Union address, President Biden announced an initiative to launch sites at pharmacies across the country that would allow people who test positive (on-site) for COVID-19 to receive free antiviral pills at the same location.
President Biden announced that, starting next week, American households who have previously ordered free COVID tests will be able to order a second set of four rapid antigen tests.
President Biden extended the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) support for vaccination, mass testing sites, and surging hospital resources, as well as its directive to cover 100% of state COVID-related emergency costs.
The Biden Administration will begin including at-home tests, antivirals, and masks for children in the Strategic National Stockpile.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will issue new guidance on nursing home staffing and operations intended to reduce COVID deaths in long-term care facilities.

While research continues to confirm that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at protecting children aged 5-17 from severe disease, new research is showing that the vaccines might not be as effective at preventing infection.
A study found that the effectiveness of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s two-dose series vaccines diminishes against symptomatic disease in the six months following vaccination, but that a booster dose restores protection to the levels seen immediately after the primary series.
Despite the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron seeming to be more contagious, some infectious disease experts believe that it is unlikely to cause any major shift in the trajectory of the pandemic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the use of unauthorized COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, citing both potential inaccuracy and reports of adverse health consequences related to the tests.
Pfizer is expanding production of its COVID-19 therapeutic Paxlovid after earlier manufacturing delays.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used blood samples collected in January to estimate that more than 140 million Americans—about 43%—have had COVID.
- This is approximately double the count of positive test results reported in January.
- The same method estimated that 103 million people had been affected as of late November.